Wad Goals
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"Wad Goals"
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Episode Information
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"Wad Goals" is the thirteenth episode of broadcast season 32 of The Simpsons and the six-hundred and ninety-seventh episode overall. It originally aired on February 28, 2021. The episode was written by Brian Kelley and directed by Michael Polcino. It guest stars Stephen Root as Bildorf.
"Wad Goals" was dedicated in memory of writer and producer Marc Wilmore, who died on January 30.
Synopsis
- After discovering a golf club in the middle of town, Bart becomes a successful golf caddy. But Marge worries that the money he is earning is changing him as a person.
Plot
Ralph is guiding a parade in the center of town, but it's just his fantasy. Mr. Rum-Ta-Tum, a flying bear, guides him into a bush where he finds a secret—a large playground. On the last day of school, he leads the other kids to it to uncover its secrets, and they enter by hiding inside with their backs turned to the street.
They discover a large golf club in the middle of the city, and Bart and Milhouse find Jimbo earning money working as a caddy for Dr. Hibbert. They ask Raphael for work as caddies too. Bart is assigned to Kent Brockman, while Milhouse is assigned to Mr. Burns.
Bart starts winning Kent over, while Milhouse does a poor job, scaring Burns during his shot and making him miss by a mile. Bart continues working and racks up more money than his father, who fakes his own wad of cash using dryer sheets.
Marge takes Maggie to watch Bart work and sees how he has changed—sucking up to people for money, including her. At Phineas Q. Butterfat's Ice Cream Parlor, Bart offers them ice cream after telling the story of how he earned $50, and even tips the parlor workers. Marge angrily storms out and voices her concerns to Homer, who disagrees.
Bart buys a pool for himself and his friends, but Martin suggests buying a good investment vehicle. Bart purchases a Coyote trail flipper, but when his friends ask to use it, he refuses, making them angry. Marge and Lisa try to rally support at the Springfield Town Hall but fail, as everyone is too busy enjoying the club.
Bart targets club president Bildorf next, while Marge and Lisa launch an online petition on pester.org titled "Stop coddling the Springfield Junipers Wealthy" (abbreviated as "Stop coddling the S.J.W.s"). The petition gains over one million signatures—boosted by the controversial abbreviation—threatening the club's existence.
Bart angrily confronts Marge for ruining his job, but he is called to caddy for Bildorf the next day. Bildorf asks him to get Marge to drop the petition, but Bart instead suggests turning the golf club into a religion. Quimby declares it as such, renaming it the First Church of the Blessed Mulligan, which exempts it from property taxes and nullifies Marge's petition.
After this setback, Marge seeks help from other religions, but they agree that the club meets all the checks of a legitimate religion. Bildorf, however, refuses to keep Bart as his caddy now that the club is safe.
In anger, Bart decides to rent the ATV to his friends, and they destroy the entire course terrain. Bildorf points out the damage isn't permanent, but the police arrive and arrest him after discovering the club has secretly become a sex cult. In the end, Ralph is seen digging underground and dancing as fire explosions erupt on the club's grass.
Production
The episode was supposed to air on February 21, 2021, but due to "Diary Queen" being pre-empted to February 21, 2021 due to Daytona 500 delays, it was pre-empted to February 28, 2021.[1][2][3][4]
For the parody of "Carol of the Bells", the team thought it was public domain, but it turned out the lyrics were not public domain so they had to pay anyway even though they wrote their own lyrics.[5]
The team discussed asking Larry David to voice the golf-loving Rabbi, but due to the pandemic, they decided against it.[6]
Reception
Animator Nik Ranieri won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation in the 73rd Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards for the episode.[7]
Gallery
References
- ↑ The Simpsons on Twitter - "February and March Scheduled Air Dates"
- ↑ TheFutonCritic.com - "Wad Goals"
- ↑ Al Jean's Twitter - "Diary Queen and Wad Goals air date"
- ↑ The Simpsons on Twitter - "Diary Queen pre-emption"
- ↑ Matt Selman's Twitter - "Carol of the Bells parody details"
- ↑ Matt Selman's Twitter - "Larry David"
- ↑ Television Academy - "Outstanding Individual Achievement In Animation - 2021"
Promo videos
"Like Homer, like son. 😬🌳 Bart's a little rough around the hedges — this Sunday on @FOXTV." on Twitter- "Marge isn't putting up with any lip from the local golf club tonight at 8/7c on @FOXTV!" on Twitter
Bart & The Boys Become Golf Caddies at YouTube- Bart & Homer Compare Cash Wads at YouTube
- Marge & Lisa Go To City Hall at YouTube
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Wikisimpsons has a collection of images related to "Wad Goals". |
